LCCC head coach Ronda Roberts’ team is 4-11 heading into Sunday’s scheduled doubleheader against Spoon River.

Billy Hurst file photo | For The Telegraph

GODFREY — Bouts with injuries, coupled with a spring trip that was more wintry than summery has Lewis and Clark Community College softball coach Ronda Roberts still looking for answers about one-third of the way through the season.

“It’s been a challenge,” Roberts said. “We had a lot of sophomores last year, so you know what that means this year – a lot of new players. Plus, we’ve had injuries that have kept us from having our whole team together at the same time.”

While none of the injuries are considered extremely serious, they’ve been enough to force Roberts to be “creative” with the Trailblazers’ lineup.

The Trailblazers, who were xx-xx last season, are 4-11 heading into a scheduled doubleheader against Spoon River College in Canton, Illinois. The teams, were able to get in the first twinbill of the weekend home-and-home series by moving it up a day. They played Friday in Godfrey instead of Saturday, as was scheduled and split a pair of conference games

“We were both able to play that day, so we figured we could at least get in two games a day early if nothing else,” Roberts said. “As far as (Sunday) is concerned, we’ll have to wait and see. There’s even a possibility of (Spoon River) coming here again, if they get more rain up there than we have here.

“This time of the year, it’s crazy trying to get softball or baseball games in, for that matter.”

LCC is scheduled to play host to East Central College of Union, Missouri on Tuesday in a doubleheader. The first pitch in Game 1 is set for 3 p.m.

The Trailblazers went 2-4 on their spring trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And while they were able to play games, don’t get the idea it was under ideal circumstances, said Roberts.

“It was miserable,” Roberts said. “The weather was freezing – the 40s with wind. Nothing like you think about when you think about spring games. It was probably warmer back home.

“The idea is to go where you won’t have to worry about whether or not you’re going to get the games in or whether or not you’re going to freeze to death. We’re supposed to be able to focus on seeing who can play where and how the team will come together.”

The Trailblazers were competitive in most of those spring games as well. Their victories were over Mohawk Valley College 9-1 and Onandaga College 7-6.

In the circle, Shelby Whaley, a freshman from Civic Memorial, is 4-4. Prior to Friday’s win over Spoon River, she has struck out 18 and walked 20.

“I’d say she’s been fairly consistent,” Roberts said. “When she’s on, we have a great chance of winning.”

Hitting-wise, Georgia Dodson, a sophomore from Alton High, leads in average at .500 in 40 at-bats. She has one homer, 11 RBIs, a triple and four doubles.

Teammate Kayla Zimmerman, a xxxxxxxxx, is batting .439 and Emily Cardwell, a sophomore from Duschesne, is batting .324 with 11 RBIs and three doubles.

Since returning north, LCCC hit a six-game skid after a 5-4 win over Danville March 18.

“It’s been frustrating at times,” Roberts said. “We’d like to see consistency, but with injuries, that’s been tough.

“We’ve needed to be creative at times,” she said. “But really, I think a big part of the issue is getting enough people healthy at the same time.”

LCCC head coach Ronda Roberts’ team is 4-11 heading into Sunday’s scheduled doubleheader against Spoon River.